Hitchin man given suspended prison sentence following manslaughter
Oscar Jackson was given a two-year sentence, suspended for two years
Last updated 11th Jan 2025
A 21-year-old man from Hitchin has been given a suspended prison sentence for the manslaughter of a man in Ickleford.
Oscar Jackson, from Wilshere Crescent in Hitchin, appeared before Huntingdon Crown Court on Friday (January 10th) for sentencing.
The presiding judge gave Jackson a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years, as well as 300 hours of unpaid work.
Jackson has been found guilty of manslaughter at Cambridge Crown Court on November 27th for the death of Grant Wallendorf following a two-week trial.
The pair had been arguing in the car park of Ickleford Sports and Recreation Centre at around 10:35pm on June 16th, 2024 when the pair got into an altercation.
Oscar went on to punch Grant once in the head, knocking him unconscious and falling to the floor.
The suspect then proceeded to move Wallendorf's body out of the way of his car so he could drive off from the scene.
Wallendorf was promptly rushed to hospital following the attack, but despite the best efforts of medical professionals, he was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.
Following an investigation by Hertfordshire Police, Jackson was found at his house by officers and arrested before being taken into custody.
Speaking on the case, Detective Chief Inspector Nick Gardner from Hertfordshire Police said: "Jackson’s snap decision to throw a punch during an argument with a stranger has led to a family losing their loved one. Grant’s family are heartbroken and I send my deepest condolences to them.
“I would like to take this opportunity to remind people to consider their actions on nights out, especially when alcohol is involved. If an argument is arising, please stop and walk away. No argument is ever worth a life”.